Demystifying Double-Sided Knitting

free bookmark knitting pattern

I’ve gotten a few requests — okay, a TON of requests — on how his whole double-sided knitting thing works. Yesterday, Jac and I took advantage of our snow day (there’s an Icepocalypse here in the Philadelphia area) and we shot a how-to video on the subject. Unlike our other videos, this one is on the long side, but I will take you through how to cast on double-sided knitting, do the stitches, follow a color chart, and cast off. If you follow along through the whole video with your own yarn and needles, you’ll make a cute bookmark just in time for Valentine’s Day. Download this color chart, hit play, and follow along.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzVFgc1Z3M4]

We’d love to see your bookmarks, so please share your links in the comments sections!

free heart bookmark pattern

~ Megan-Anne
Knit fast. Die warm. Caffenistas do it well.

*Edited February 15, 2014 to add pictures.

38 thoughts on “Demystifying Double-Sided Knitting

  1. Vix says:

    Wow, I always thought double-knitting was really complicated but that simplifies it so much! My blanket might be double sided after all (if I ever get a chance to start it of course) Thank you muchly!

  2. Grace says:

    Hi! I really love your website and am soooo excited about your blanket KAL. I know that this may sound like a really dumb question, but I’m not too experienced with double-sided knitting. I don’t quite understand how you do three colors in double-sided knitting, like in the Wonder Woman square…is it hard? Thanks! :)

    • Megan-Anne says:

      We’ve never tried out a knook, but as long as you’re able to do color work, and both knits and purls, I can’t see any reason you shouldn’t be able to use it for double sided knitting patterns.

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  7. ZackAttack says:

    I spent days combing youtube and books and cobbled together an understanding of double-sided knitting from numerous sources, so I could make a scarf for myself, and here you are with an awesome all-in-one video for the whole process! Excellent tutorial, thank you so much! I’ve got a lot of catching up to do on this knit-a-long too!

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  10. Ann says:

    I have wanted to look at your video for a while–finally got the chance and it is just perfectly wonderful! Clear, concise, easy to follow. Thank you so much! : )
    Ann

  11. Zarka says:

    I just found this site last night during an insomnia bout and began my first double sided square…the tutorial was excellent, thank you so much. In my head I need to remember to not try and match the color on my needle with the working yarn I need to use when making the pattern part…let it go…thank you again!

  12. Connie Race says:

    I wish this pattern were in the Ravelry database (or if it is that I could find it). I hate to share a project without crediting the designer. Also, awesome video tutorial!

    • Jacquline Cappuccino says:

      I don’t think Megan-Anne ever put it in the database. But she was the one who designed it. Her name is DrLlama on Ravelry.

    • Megan-Anne Llama says:

      I’m a big fan of 2 handed yarn management for color work when doing stranded knitting, but it’s not as useful here. I find that doing that creates gaps between sts, and that I spend so much time correcting that, I may as well have just done one handed yarn management.

      • Heather says:

        I am brand new here and to double sided knitting. I knit continental style and can not figure out how to hold my yarn…. Any advice?

      • Megan-Anne Llama says:

        The only advice I can give is based on my experience with it, but while I also knit continental when I’m not doing double-knitting, I find the only way to be efficient in double is to hold my yarn in the English Knitting style. It’s super awkward to switch up until you get used to it, but now I can go back and forth between styles without thinking about it. Good luck!

  13. Nancy says:

    Hi! I love your sight and the double knitting. You taught me how to do it and I enjoy it sooo much. I do have one problem with it, however, the lettering in The Princess Bride- As You Wish and the 42 in The Hitcherhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy-Frankie and Benjy. I just don’t get how to read the charts, I tried and tired and tired. I haven’t been able to find any help. Any tips? Thank you.

  14. allmadehere says:

    Hello Megan-Anne,
    Thank you for these article and video. I trying to knit NO FACE. For me everything was good until row 5, stich 16. I do not know how to continue. Do I have to purl or knit…Using with color… I ‘l lost when there is more than 2 changes…I hope you could help me. Best Regards?.

    • Megan-Anne Llama says:

      Hi,

      Any time you are following a color chart for double knitting, all of the squares shown are knit squares. The purl squares are not shown on the chart. ALWAYS purl with the color you did NOT knit with. So, if you are using 2 colors, we’ll call them A and B: A=the white on the chart, and B=the black. If the chart shows a white square you will knit with white. Since you knitted with white and you ALWAYS purl with the color you did NOT knit with, now purl with B. If the chart shows a black square, knit with color B, and purl with color A. Always bring both yarns forward to purl, and back to knit.

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